Peter Jackson too busy to direct THE HOBBIT

After years of bickering, lawsuits, false promises and lots of bullshit... finally this week the huge announcement that New Line and Peter Jackson had come to an agreement which would allow THE HOBBIT to finally be translated to the big screen left fans with extreme excitement over the future of Middle-Earth, and was soon big it even made the 2nd page of a British tabloid. For years we all wanted movement on the project and most of all for Peter Jackson to helm and we got a little uneasy when we thought of other people tampering with Tolkien's Middle Earth. Finally the creative force behind the greatest film achievement this side of the Millenium was back when he belongs.

Though one thing needs to be made clear right now. Peter Jackson is not directing THE HOBBIT. Instead, he will serve as Executive Producer and will do the same job he was set to do on HALO, basically over-seeing every aspect of the film's production...

"Peter won't be directing because he felt the fans have waited long enough for The Hobbit. It will take the better part of every day of the next four years to write, direct and produce two Hobbit films. Given his current obligations to both The Lovely Bones and Tintin, waiting for Peter, Fran, and Phillippa to write, direct and produce The Hobbit would require the fans wait even longer."

This isn't really that bad of a thing. Jackson is no doubt drained at this point with everything that has gone on so far with THE HOBBIT and taking a back seat might be the best thing for him to do. If he can bring someone who he trusts in for the two movies and if he allows them some pull to make their own big creative decisions, then THE HOBBIT will feel fresh, new and exciting. Bottom line is, we don't want someone imitating Peter Jackson's directing style... because shit like that never works (Van Sant's PSYCHO). The new director must be able to bring his own voice to the table or this is a disaster waiting to happen. 2008 should see a director attached and the script well on it's way into development, so the two new Tolkien movies can hit their 2010-2011 deadline. The second film after they have filmed THE HOBBIT, almost gives them free license to bring back any of the LOTR alumni that they please as they will basically be crafting a free story that connects THE HOBBIT to THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING. Wonder who will return. Wonder who will direct? Wonder if New Line pushed for this when the figures came back over how much they lost on THE GOLDEN COMPASS. source - entertainment weekly